? ? ? ? "Wait jest a minute, duke- answer me this one question, honest and fair; if you didn't put that money there, say it, and I'll b'lieve you, and take back everything I said."
? ? ? ? "You old scoundrel, I didn't, and you know I didn't. There, now!"
? ? ? ? "Well, then, I b'lieve you. But answer me only jest this one more- now don't git mad; didn't you have it in your mind to hook the money and hide it?"
? ? ? ? The duke never said nothing for a little bit; then he says:
? ? ? ? "Well- I don't care if I did, I didn't do it, anyway. But you not only had it in mind to do it, but you done it."
? ? ? ? "I wisht I may never die if I done it, duke, and that's honest. I won't say I warn't goin' to do it, because I was; but you- I mean somebody- got in ahead o' me."
? ? ? ? "It's a lie! You done it, and you got to say you done it, or-"
? ? ? ? The king begun to gurgle, and then he gasps out:
? ? ? ? "'Nough!- I own up!"
? ? ? ? I was very glad to hear him say that, it made me feel much more easier than what I was feeling before.
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